Pethia conchonius is found in Afghanistan, Pakistan (Indus river drainage), India (Ganga, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery river systems and other west-flowing rivers), Nepal, and Bangladesh (Talwar and Jhingran 1991).

Generally inhabits lakes and streams. It is one of the hardiest of the barbs; a hardy and very popular Asian minnow. It is most impressively coloured during the mating period, when the normally silvery male takes on a rich claret flush and the slightly larger female becomes more luminous. It attains a length of 14 cm and matures at 6 cm (Talwar and Jhingran 1991).

One of the most undemanding and beautiful tropical fishes and a great favourite. It is perhaps the best known and most popular of the genus, as far as aquarists are concerned. It is one of the hardiest of the barbs. The fish is docile and can generally be kept together with other small fishes in aquariums (Talwar and Jhingran 1991).

In-Place Research, Monitoring and Planning Action Recovery plan:No Systematic monitoring scheme:NoIn-Place Land/Water Protection and Management Conservation sites identified:Yes, over part of range Occur in at least one PA:Unknown Area based regional management plan:No Invasive species control or prevention:Not ApplicableIn-Place Species Management Harvest management plan:No Successfully reintroduced or introduced beningly:No Subject to ex-situ conservation:NoIn-Place Education Subject to recent education and awareness programmes:No Included in international legislation:No Subject to any international management/trade controls:No

1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology